They all left the conference room. Each person smiled at Emily on the way out.
“Emily, I need you to keep a eye on that whole ship. Especially everyone that was sitting here today,” the admiral said. “General, if she finds anything she is going to bring it to my attention. Then I will decide what to do with it.”
“Whatever you need to do, Admiral. Grey out.”
It was just the two of them now. “What do you think, Emily? Are they loose cannons?”
“No, ma’am,” Emily told the admiral. “I think the general has put a team together that will get results. They will probably be unorthodox and show a disregard for the rules. But as you know, the results will speak for itself.”
“What about this situation with the crates?”
“I believe they are telling the truth. I was running the heart rate monitor and temperature scan during the meeting. I only saw a spike once, and that is when he whispered to the captain. Her pulse and temp went up for a few seconds, but I think that was something totally different.”
“I just don’t think the general has a handle on that man, Emily. He is surrounded by distinguished officers and he calls the shots,” the admiral said.
“No ma’am, they respect him and his decisions. He also respects all of them. He bought things for his team with non-military funds to keep his commanders clear of any wrong-doing. I believe he has their back just as much as they have his. I have already been watching them all. It’s what you trained me to do. They are hiding nothing.”
“They are hiding him, Emily. His records are deleted and destroyed. The general has made himself a ghost soldier. Maybe you can find out who he is.”
“I will do my best.”
“Go get on the bridge, and let’s see what this new player is about.”
“Yes ma’am. Brous out.” The vid turned off.
That was a bit of information, Emily thought. Military Intel didn’t know who Ben was, or his past. She didn’t know it all, but she would find out. He would tell her.
“Brous to Reaper,” she said over her com.
“I’m in my quarters, Emily, come on in,” he said and cut the com.
The lieutenant punched in the codes she had been given by the seller to unlock the crates. The first one held pistols. Reaper recognized the design but had never seen them before. They were pistol-sized magnetic rail guns. There were cases of battery and ammo packs under them. She hadn’t bought one for everyone on the team. She had opted to buy a lot of battery and ammo packs instead. He pulled one out and gave it a quick once-over.
Emily arrived.
“Hurry up and shut the door,” he said.
“Are you always this bossy?” She walked in and nodded to the other women. “Nice pistol,” she said. No one commented.
E’Aria opened the next crate. There were combat knives made with a special alloy.
“This is not a known metal to your people and is rare to even those who know of it,” E’Aria said. “This will penetrate the hide of the Allith like butter and it stays sharp for a very long time.”
The next crate had food and candles. The captain picked up a candle and smelled. It was wonderful. “It’s the scent of a flower that grows high in the mountains of my homeland,” E’Aria said, “and for only one of your earth weeks.”
The next crate was long. She opened it and it had the rifle version of the pistol except the charger and ammo size was twice as large. “This has almost twice the range and destructive power as the current Colonial version and its lighter,” Aok explained. “If they are grouped up, it’s very possible to kill three or four Allith with one shot.”
There were some smaller boxes in the crate as well. They held top-of-the-line replacements for the helmet coms with night and thermal vision.
E’Aria opened a box that had small squares of some sort of food. She took one and put it in her mouth, closed her eyes and smiled. She put the box out and they each got one. They were all making some kind of noise of approval.
“E’Aria,” the captain said, using her name. “Can you get me some of this the next time you order toys for the team?”
“Yes Captain, I’ll let you know when I order again.”
Chapter 22: The Allond
“Captain! The battle cruiser is requesting a face-to-face com with you,” the XO said.
“We will be there in a minute, XO. Did the request come in English?”
“Yes, but it seems like it went through some kind of translator.”
“Emily, are you coming with me to the bridge?” the captain asked.
“Yes ma’am, I’ll be along in just a minute.”
“So what have you told your boss?” Reaper started getting to the point.
“Nothing yet,” Emily replied.
“What do you plan on telling her?”
“I don’t know, I don’t think I have to tell her anything.”
“I hope you don’t,” he said. “It will ruin everything we are trying to accomplish.”
“Not to be rude,” she replied, “but let’s talk about this later. I need to go evaluate our new friends.”
“Sounds good.” Reaper let it drop.
“Don’t worry about me, Benji. I can take care of myself,” she said, going out the door.
He sat down on the bed and started taking his boots off. He was going to suit up in his armor. “What did you get from her just then?” he asked E’Aria.
“It was all honest,” Aok answered. “Her thoughts were the same as what she was telling you. Even though she didn’t say this, she thinks the admiral has made this personal. It is another reason why she will probably not say anything. She thinks the admiral is wrong.”
“Major, you have anything to add?” Reaper asked.
“No, Benji,” Andrea said with a wicked smile. “We can talk to her later.”
“Geez, Andrea! Don’t call me that. Emily knows I hate it.”
“Sure, Benji, whatever you say.”
He finished getting suited up. He wanted to be ready if everything went south.
“Are you going to have everyone ready? We are at battle stations,” he reminded the major.
“For your information, I already sent out a message. I have been doing this a lot longer than you, hot shot,” she replied.
He grabbed the major by the arm and pulled her into a hug, then kissed her. E’Aria just stood and watched. “That is in case we get busy and I don’t get to later.” He explained.
“Major! I need you and Reaper to report to the bridge right now please,” the captain said over the com.
“On our way, Captain,” she replied.
E’Aria had changed into her armor while they had continued talking. They walked to the bridge.
“It seems we have the prime minister of our unknown race on the com. He would like to have the warrior in the black armor present during our conversation,” the captain explained as they walked up.
“E’Aria, stand next to Emily with your helmet on. Let’s see what they want. I am going to stand out of view,” Reaper said. “Captain, open up the com and vid.”
“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, Prime Minister. Please continue.” Lieutenant Aok stood next to the captain. The prime minister was standing next to the captain of the battle cruiser. He studied the lieutenant and everyone else in his view. The captain turned and said something to the prime minister, who nodded his agreement.
“Captain, I believe this is the warrior we would like to speak to.” He made a motion with his hand and the screen changed. They all watched as Reaper made his way towards the prisoners, firing his rifle and killing Allith. The closer he got to the prisoners, the clearer the picture became. Bodies were being chewed up and spit out by his rail gun. Even when they hid, he fired through walls, killing them. After about four minutes, it stopped and the prime minister and captain were back.
“Why do you wish to speak with this warrior, Prime Minister?” O’Shaughnessy asked. “Surely you understand that conver
sations like these should take place between individuals like ourselves.”
“Yes, I would agree, Captain,” the prime minister answered, “but he has impressed us and his views may prove to be insightful.”
Emily decided it was her turn to talk. “Prime Minister, you do need to understand that his views are not the views of our leaders and will only be his he is sharing with you. His actions on Hyson that you witnessed were not under any direct order from our military or leaders.”
“So your ships that were at Hyson helping with an evacuation of the populace were not under any orders from your government?” the prime minister asked.
“Correct,” the captain said. “We were providing aid to the Trillond government and made no acts of aggression.”
“So was this warrior left as a spy? He is not a very good one, if that is the case.”
“No, he was left behind while trying to retrieve an injured team member.”
“Did he retrieve the injured team member?”
“He did.”
“So you abandoned him on a planet full of his enemies with a wounded team member, who he not only saves but takes a ship load of refugees along with him. We wish to speak with this warrior.”
Reaper stepped into view, tired of the conversation.
The prime minister and his captain both stared at Reaper. After a few seconds they felt they had who they wanted to talk to. “The captain and I are both impressed with your actions and escape from Hyson,” the prime minister said. “We would like to invite you dine with us on our ship. We have things to discuss and messages you will want to pass on to your government. Will you do us the honor?”
“You can call me Reaper sir. Will you allow some of the others to join us?”
“Yes, you may bring four others along with you.”
“Thank you, Prime Minister—”
“Jinwasys, I represent Emperor Xamand, III Light of the Universe and God King of the Allond Empire. This is Captain Dakkon. We will send a shuttle for you at the appointed time.”
“Thank you, Prime Minister. We will be ready.”
The Allond cut the vid. They all left the bridge and were sitting in the conference room a few minutes later.
“I take it you have a plan, the way you are ordering your commanding officers and team members to report,” the major said to Ben.
“I have a team in mind,” he answered. “As far as a plan, I am not sure there is much to plan other than getting out safely. I will take the lieutenant and sergeant major from our team. Emily and Commander Holmes will represent Military Intelligence and this ship. I believe that each of these people will be able to advise me in answering any questions they may have or not answering whatever the case may be.”
“I agree, Reaper, at least as far as my ship is concerned,” the captain said. “Your commander may have a different opinion.”
“She usually does, and they are most always correct,” Reaper said, looking at the major.
“He is right this time,” the major said. “I will stay with the team.”
“Now that that is settled,” Ben said, “it may not be diplomatic but I want the team armed. They have asked to dine with a warrior, so having weapons will hopefully be no surprise.”
“I don’t know,” Emily said. “They may take offense or feel it’s a show of aggression.”
“We can always surrender them once we know what we are up against,” Ben replied.
Chapter 23: Dinner
The docking arms were securing the shuttle when they arrived. A seal was established and a green light was flashing next to the door. Reaper felt a touch on his hand and looked to see the major’s finger locked in his. He looked at her and she mouthed, “Be careful.” He squeezed her finger and nodded.
The door to the shuttle opened and they entered. There were soldiers. A very tall one looked them over, then got on a com to the ship. There was a rapid conversation and he returned, motioning them to sit. The shuttle detached and made a short trip back to the battle cruiser. The same soldier opened the door upon arrival and motioned for them to exit the shuttle. The prime minister and the captain were waiting on them.
“Welcome, welcome,” the prime minister said. “Thank you for coming. It is an honor to have you aboard our ship.” He and the captain were looking them over.
“Thank you, Prime Minister,” Ben said. “We are honored to be here.”
“Do you usually arm yourselves for dinner?”
“No sir, that would be my fault and only mine. I was unsure who else you may have invited to dine with us. In certain circles that you travel we could be a part of dinner. We would have to take exception to that happening.”
“I see,” said the prime minister. “That would be somewhat of a problem for you, but the Allith are not invited. Just our senior officers and myself.”
“In that case, if you would have someone show us where we could leave our weapons until we depart.”
“If you like, you may leave them in the dining room.”
They placed their weapons against the wall of the dining room. It was a large ornate room fit for entertaining royalty.
“Prime Minister, Captain, let me introduce you to my advisors,” Ben said. These are Lieutenant Aok, Emily Brous, Commander Holmes and Sergeant Major Kim. They are here to make sure I don’t screw up and cause a galactic incident. In the history of our people, wars were started over little things that would seem trivial to us generations later but were insults at the current time.”
“That I understand, Reaper. It is a prudent precaution.”
Allond officers started arriving. They mingled together, talking and watching the guests of honor. The prime minister asked that everyone take a seat and placed the team near himself and the captain. A number of Allith entered the dining room carrying platters of food. They placed them on the table. Reaper and his team tensed, but watched as they served everyone.
“Reaper, the Allith you see are all crew members of this ship,” the prime minister said. “They have lived their lives within our empire and serve us in many ways. They are not the Allith you and your people have encountered in this galaxy. They are civilized, productive citizens. Their ancestors came to the empire thousands of years ago. They were starving and defeated. They had no foresight to preserve their resources. They went to war with the Trillond and were defeated. They sought us out and have flourished ever since.
“Those that remained here have not advanced much beyond their basic instincts, as you well know. The warlords did send a message to our King. They said that this would be a good territory to annex into our empire. We have been aware of this galaxy for thousands of years. Other than the addition of your people, nothing has changed. We believe our cousins want us to fight for them to eliminate your presence here as well as the Trillond. We have given them terms they must comply with before we will help and they have not given an answer. I decided that we should meet you after seeing you on Hyson.”
“It seems that our futures are still uncertain, but your diplomacy in this process is much appreciated, Prime Minister,” Emily said.
Dinner was different but good. There were many different types of meat, fish and greens. Everyone found something they could eat. The captain didn’t say much at all and neither did any of the officers.
“Prime Minister, what is your position at this point?” Emily asked. “We can’t let our allies be attacked and murdered. We have only taken a defensive position thus far. We would like to avoid any conflicts or war if it came to that. Couldn’t you speak to the Allith and get them to stop before it turns into a war?” Emily was taking the lead, getting questions out on the table.
“All I can say right now is that you could destroy them all and we would do nothing,” the prime minister answered. “Until they offer a unified pledge to our king, we are only observers. I have already destroyed some of them myself and they still will not see reason of any kind.”
There’s something, Reaper thought. They can’t
stand the Allith either if they are killing them.
“Prime Minister! Captain!” said an officer, entering the room. “We have a envoy of 14 Allith from different Warlords demanding to speak with you now. Shall I detain them? They just docked.”
“Hold them for five, minutes then direct them to the dining room. Reaper, you and your people should arm yourselves now,” The captain said. “Guards, arm yourselves and take up positions at the door and the table here.”
Reaper and the team were armed in two minutes and ready. “Prime Minister, Captain, would you just stand over here by us? When this is over, whatever this is, you may want to see where your information leak is. This is too much of a coincidence,” Reaper said.
“What he means to say is—” Emily started saying.
“His meaning is clear, Ms. Brous,” the prime minister said. “He is correct and no offense was meant I’m sure. Captain, would you see to our security leak?”
The doors to the dining room opened. An officer entered ahead of the Allith and tried to announce them, but he was pushed out of the way.
“Treachery! Treachery!” the Allith in the lead hissed at the Allond. “You meet with our enemy behind our backs. You have done nothing to aid us in our conquest. You even killed some of our clansmen. We demand you give us these pink-skinned ones as a gift to ease the discord between us.”
“I will give you nothing,” the prime minister said. “They are our guests and you have no right to demand anything. You have not signed the pledge to our king as we asked.”
“We will sign nothing now or ever,” the Allith hissed. “We have made other arrangements with a power as great as yours. I think we will just take these from you. I see the one who killed our clansmen on Hyson and we have a right to his blood.”
“My blood is no easy prize, and you may think you have some right to it but your only right will be to die. If you wish it I will help you claim that right,” Reaper answered, stepping out in front of his team.
The Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison: Call Sign Reaper Page 29